Beyond helping companies streamline their logistical processes and distribution networks, IoT technology is also driving their expansion into new untapped markets with the advent of smart vehicles and drones.

Beyond helping companies streamline their logistical processes and distribution networks, IoT technology is also driving their expansion into new untapped markets with the advent of smart vehicles and drones.

“Technology companies have been the dominant deal makers in the AI space. However, with AI making inroads into diverse sectors, the buyer universe in expanding and the space is also attracting investments from non-technology companies."

The revenue of the coated fabric market in the U.S. amounted to $4.5B in 2018, picking up by 4.6% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% from 2013 to 2018; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 9.8% year-to-year. Over the period under review, the coated fabric market reached its peak figure level in 2018 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Coated Fabric Production in the U.S.

In value terms, coated fabric production stood at $2.6B in 2018. Overall, coated fabric production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when production volume increased by 4.4% year-to-year. In that year, coated fabric production attained its peak level of $2.7B. From 2015 to 2018, coated fabric production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports from the U.S.

Coated fabric exports from the U.S. amounted to 13K tonnes in 2018, dropping by -3% against the previous year. Overall, coated fabric exports continue to indicate a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 4.4% against the previous year. Exports peaked at 15K tonnes in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, coated fabric exports amounted to $151M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% from 2013 to 2018; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded over the period under review. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 11% against the previous year. Exports peaked in 2018 and are expected to retain its growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The Dominican Republic (1.9K tonnes), Germany (1.8K tonnes) and the UK (1.7K tonnes) were the main destinations of coated fabric exports from the U.S., together comprising 43% of total exports. These countries were followed by Mexico, China, the Philippines, Australia, Japan, China, Hong Kong SAR, Brazil, Taiwan, Chinese and India, which together accounted for a further 32%.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the Philippines (+69.7% per year), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for coated fabric exported from the U.S. were the UK ($22M), the Dominican Republic ($22M) and Germany ($17M), together accounting for 41% of total exports. These countries were followed by Japan, China, the Philippines, China, Hong Kong SAR, Australia, Mexico, India, Brazil and Taiwan, Chinese, which together accounted for a further 34%.

Among the main countries of destination, Taiwan, Chinese (+59.2% per year) experienced the highest rates of growth with regard to exports, over the last five years, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average coated fabric export price stood at $12 per kg in 2018, picking up by 7.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2018, it increased at an average annual rate of +7.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 13% year-to-year. The export price peaked in 2018 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2018, the country with the highest price was Japan ($26 per kg), while the average price for exports to Mexico ($5.6 per kg) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports into the U.S.

In 2018, the amount of coated fabrics imported into the U.S. amounted to 215K tonnes, growing by 9.5% against the previous year. Overall, the total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2013 to 2018: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +12.0% over the last five-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, coated fabric imports increased by +76.1% against 2013 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 17% year-to-year. Imports peaked in 2018 and are likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, coated fabric imports stood at $1.1B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the period from 2013 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, coated fabric imports attained their maximum in 2018 and are expected to retain its growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2018, China (101K tonnes) constituted the largest coated fabric supplier to the U.S., with a 47% share of total imports. Moreover, coated fabric imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (38K tonnes), threefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by South Korea (16K tonnes), with a 7.3% share.

From 2013 to 2018, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China stood at +11.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+55.9% per year) and South Korea (+2.2% per year).

In value terms, China ($393M) constituted the largest supplier of coated fabric to the U.S., comprising 36% of total coated fabric imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Japan ($97M), with a 9% share of total imports. It was followed by India, with a 8.6% share.

From 2013 to 2018, the average annual growth rate of value from China totaled +9.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Japan (+2.7% per year) and India (+48.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2018, the average coated fabric import price amounted to $5,009 per tonne, leveling off at the previous year. Overall, the coated fabric import price continues to indicate an abrupt deduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 a decrease of -0.1% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the average import prices for coated fabrics reached their maximum at $6,306 per tonne in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, import prices failed to regain their momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was Japan ($18,533 per tonne), while the price for India ($2,460 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.